After unconfirmed sightings and a Twitter appeal for his return, Rufus was handed in to an animal shelter in south-west London, the UK Press Association reported, a few miles from where he disappeared.

He was reunited with his handlers last night, who announced the news via Rufus' official Twitter account:

We can confirm the news is true RUFUS HAS BEEN FOUND safe and well & reunited with family!! Thank you so much for your support #FindRufus

The details of Rufus' adventure still aren't clear, his handler, Imogen Davis, told the BBC. A member of the public apparently found him still in his carry case, abandoned on Wimbledon Common.

Rufus was back at work on Monday morning, greeting human visitors and seeing off winged ones.

Hawks have been a fixture at the tennis tournament for the past 12 years as an environmentally-friendly method of pest control. Rufus, 4, flies above the courts every morning and evening while the tournament is on, though not during matches to avoid distracting players.